A thousand feet below the Mexican soil lie the Naica Caverns or Crystal Cave of Giants. Illuminated by lanterns, translucent selenite beams four feet in diameter, fifty feet long and weighing fifty-five tons weave through a dark gallery hidden until 2000 from the eyes of men. For centuries, glorious in their crystalline splendor, they have continued their ever higher reach, heedless of an audience to appreciate their beauty.

Darkness is the womb for turning ordinary gypsum into the Naica masterpieces, for turning minerals into gems, and sand into pearls. It is the place where, over time, with the right conditions, base materials become something remarkable. I’ve found that as much as I love seasons of light and ease, it has been the dark times, the places of suffering, where the greatest beauty has been formed in my life.

I struggle in those seasons to escape the discomfort and pain, yet I’ve witnessed again and again that it is there, hidden in darkness, God’s greatest treasures are to be found, treasures like faith, patience, intimacy with God, joy. He has promised that he will work everything for the good of those who love him and are called to his purpose. Everything. He has never failed that promise.